The Giants’ defense broke down in many areas in 2014, but they were especially poor stopping the run. Hence, the signing Wednesday of Kenrick Ellis, a former Jets defensive tackle, who specializes in one thing.
“I am a run-stopper and I like doing it,” Ellis said. “That is the strength of my game. I look forward to helping the Giants get back to their glory.’’
It was more gory than glory last season, as the Giants finished 30th in the league in run defense, allowing 135.1 yards per game, and gave up a ghastly 4.9 yards per carry —worst in the NFL.
Ellis, 27, received a one-year contract for $1.65 million, with $500,000 in guaranteed money. As a 2011 third-round draft pick, he never lived up to what the Jets were hoping to see the past four seasons.
The 6-foot-4, 346-pounder has only one career sack in 47 gamesand moves in as the heaviest player on the defensive line. The Giants’ most interesting player at defensive tackle, Johnathan Hankins, is entering his third season and is 320 pounds.
Ellis, who has just five NFL starts, was expected to move into the Jets’ starting lineup in 2013, but was injured in training camp and beaten out by Damon Harrison, an undrafted free agent.
“By default, that’s who I am. I’m a journeyman,’’ Ellis said. “I come in and do my job. You don’t get much recognition for it, but you get the job done and it helps out the team. I’ll take on the double-teams and take on the work no one else wants to do. I take pride in what I do, which is being a big man in the middle and try to make sure no one runs the ball.”
Ellis joins a group that includes Hankins, Cullen Jenkins, Jay Bromley and Markus Kuhn. As a former Jet, Ellis will not have to get to know the area.
“It’s the same city, but a different side of the city,’’ Ellis said. “It makes it easier because I don’t have to move.”
The Giants gained some salary-cap relief by restructuring the contract of offensive guard Geoff Schwartz, reducing his 2015 salary from $3.67 million to $1.67 million — a move that saves the Giants $2.1 million on the 2015 salary cap and puts them $9.5 million under the cap. Schwartz can make up almost all of the difference ($1.5 million) with roster bonuses for each game he plays.
As a marquee free-agent addition last year, Schwartz signed a four-year, $16.8 million deal, but his first year with the Giants was injury-ravaged. He played in only two games, put on short-term injured reserve with a dislocated toe and then sidelined with an ankle injury that required surgery.
The Giants re-signed one of their own free agents, tight end Daniel Fells, to a one-year deal. Fells, 31, caught 16 passes for 188 yards and four touchdowns in 2014, his first season with the Giants. He was the best blocking tight end on the team.
